509th Security Forces Squadron named best in AF 2008

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Barebo
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo --  The 509th Security Forces Squadron recently won the award for Best Large Security Forces Squadron in the Air Force for 2008. The award encompasses nearly every security forces duty position performs -- not only securing Whiteman, but also being involved within the base community.

"We were honored to represent our sister units as Best in Air Combat Command, and everyone is very excited to have brought this AF award home," said Lt. Col. Paul Barney, 509th SFS commander.

The squadron first won at the ACC level in February.

"We are predominately an enlisted organization," Colonel Barney said. "So our Warrior Airmen are our bread and butter, and non-commissioned officer leadership is everything. However, we have 15 superior civil servants and there is no better guard contract anywhere."

Within the last year, the 509th SFS has implemented new training and tactical procedures and conducted assessments for areas that had been overlooked for years. The team also provided security for the president, vice-president and the AIr Force chief of staff during visits to the local area supporting a total of 11 Secret Service operations.

509th SFS team members procured $2,000 in Taser weapons to provide a much needed less-than-lethal option for law enforcement patrolmen. They were also lauded for Weapons Storage Area improvements and were the first SFS in ACC to construct a rubblefield and c-wire wall, providing rock-solid defense of Whiteman resources.

"We are not only dedicated to the mission," Colonel Barney said. "We are honored to partner with the Sedalia community where we organize several events each year. We also have affiliations with the Missouri Veterans' Home, the Warrensburg American legion and the Lion's Club.

"I'm personally awestruck that our young people, who have 14 - 16 hour duty days, just built a house through Habitat for Humanity," Colonel Barney said.

Their dedication doesn't stop at home. The 509th SFS met 100 percent of unit deployment taskings.

"Primarily we balance two critical missions," Colonel Barney said. "We received accolades in Protection Level 1 - 4 securities for diverse assets and organizations on a huge installation. At the same time, 82 of our Defenders deployed for more than 14,000 days to eight locations, including the first Iraq Police Transition Team and a 20,000 detainee operation.

"We fused the Combat Lifesaver and Self-Aid/Buddy care courses into the first wing Combat Casualty Course," Colonel Barney said.

The award will be presented during the Security Forces Worldwide conference in San Antonio this month. Colonel Barney and Chief Master Sgt. James Findley, 509th SFS manager, will accept the award and pass any physical symbol given to unit members with the level of celebration they so deserve, said Colonel Barney.

"The bottom line is we are the best Security Forces squadron in the Air Force," Colonel Barney said. "We provide superb security for not only billions of dollars in Whiteman assets, but also to the most invaluable resource we have, the men and women assigned to Whiteman Air Force Base."